Finding good music would be so much easier if we could just judge a band by their name. Although most artists don't do it, it is possible to find that perfect appellation, that concise summary of musical style. Take the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion. Never was there a more perfect name for a band. The Jon Spencer part of it is pretty obvious being that they're led by Jon Spencer, the legendary guitarist himself. And the Blues Explosion? Imagine Robert Johnson or BB King on speed. Picture all the speakers blowing at the local blues festival. That's what you get. The blues. Exploding.

Now I Got Worry is the fourth full-length album from the group, and it finds them staying true to the sound they have developed over the years since they formed in 1990. It is a guitar driven sound, and rightly so, since the blues have always been a man and his guitar. In fact, even more emphasis is placed on the guitars then in other bands due to the fact that the JSBE have no bass player. They take the traditional sound of the blues guitar and infuse it with modern lo-fi sensibilities. There's echoes of hardcore, punk, garage, and indie music all throughout, but each genre that's delved into becomes a vehicle for expressing the blues.

In the past, the band has worked with other artists such as Beck, Mike D, and members of Wu-Tang Clan and Cibo Matto. So, yes, even hip-hop is in here, somewhere, in some of the background beats, and sampling and loops. The Beastie Boys "Money" Mark makes an appearance on a few tracks on the album.

The most important elements on the record, though, are still the basics. The blues, the timeless music that has influenced everything we hear today, and the Explosion. The fury. It's all here. If you haven't heard the JSBE before, don't expect anything resembling an easy listening experience. Although their heroes may have made music you could sit back and sip a lemonade to, the JSBE are making songs that will inspire you more to throw the glass against the wall than sip from it.

"Now I Got Worry" is raw. It's unfiltered. It's full of chaotic energy. Just like the band. If their name doesn't tell you as much as it should, check them out live. They'll be at Club Congress on Monday, just waiting to burst. And even if you don't care for their brand of the blues, I promise you'll remember the explosion.

---

Daily Wildcat News Opinions Sports PoliceBeat Comics Arts